Kathleen Watkins daughter delivers moving eulogy at her funeral 'she was full of grace'

Kathleen Watkins and Gay Byrne's daughter Suzy Byrne describing her mother as "a lady" in a moving eulogy at her funeral today.

The cortège departed her former home in Howth at 11am this morning before arriving for requiem mass at noon at the Church of the Sacred Heart in Donnybrook.

Ms Watkins was celebrated for her "beauty of face, beauty of demeanour, of action and reaction."

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Her funeral was attended by former RTÉ broadcasters Mike Murphy, Olivia O'Leary, John Bowman and Mary Kennedy, among others. RTÉ Director General Kevin Bakhurst also attended, as did Joe Duffy, Ray D'arcy, Marty Whelan, Moya Doherty, John Colgan, Dave Fanning and Lorraine Keane, reports RTE

Suzy said: "She was full of grace, gentility and love. Her life was dominated by four words. Family. Friendship, faith and fun.

"Her support of Dad was unwavering. The continuous banter between them was that of a couple who loved each other dearly."

"Our father Gay, quite simply, adored mum, he deeply appreciated her support of him. The haven she created for him at home, the lions share she took of our parenting.

Suzy shared that her mother was selfless in her choices, opting to put her family first above all things

"She chose Dad, myself and Crona, taking herself out of show business. A decision which would shape our family life and our childhood."

She explained that following the loss of her father Gay, her mother turned to her friends for welcoming love and support.

"Mum's friends saw the best in her. She had lost her soul mate, but her belief was that the show must go on, so she turned to her friends and they welcomed her with open arms."

"I asked one of them what their memory of my mother would be. They replied, 'my memory of Kathleen Watkins is one of beauty, beauty of face, beauty of demeanour, of action and reaction."

Kathleen and Gay's daughter Crona also read a prayer during the mass.

Ms Watkin's grandchildren, Cian, Sadbh, Kate and Saoirse also paid tribute to their ‘Nana Kit, with Sadbh playing a tribute to her beloved grandmother on the harp.

She was taught to play by her grandmother, who was also a harpist, reports RTE.